Apparatus for dispensing lighted cigarettes



March 7, 1967 B. N. KovAcEvlc APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIGHTED CIGARETTES Filed Sept. 13. 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l /5'1 l n I ll//ll//lllllllllll March 7, 1967 APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIGHTED CIGARETTES Filed Sept. l5, 1965 KovAcEvlc 3,307,741

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 106 ZI-T7512.

March 7, 1967 B. N. KovAcEvlc APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIGHTED CIGARETTES Filed Sept. l5, 1965 E17/'anion' United States Patent O 3,307,741 APPARATUS FUR DISPENSING LIGHIED CIGARETTES Boris N. Kovacevic, 4419 N. Christiana Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60525 Filed sept. 13, i965, ser. No. 486,618 3 Claims. (Cl. 221-143) This invention relates to a combina-tion cigarette lighter and dispenser and, more particularly, to apparatus for storing a quantity of cigarettes and for automatically dispensing a lighted cigarette, as desired.

An object of the present invention is to provide a combined cigarette lighter and dispenser having improved means for effecting lighting of a single cigarette and for moving the cigarettes one at a time from a storage rack to =a discharge point in the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combinedcigarette lighter and dispenser which is relatively compact, sim-ple in construction, eiiicient in operation and economical to manufacture. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter.

The attached drawings illustrate preferred embodiments -of the present invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view, with the cover removed, of a combination cigarette lighter and dispenser embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 `of FIG. 2, with parts broken away, and illustrating the switch in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, and illustrating the switch in the open position;

FIG. .6 is a detail view of the combination cigarette lighter and dispenser illustrating the position of the lingers after a cigarette has been lit, with the lit cigarette adjacent -to the end of the rack and the next cigarette to be lit abutting the fingers on the shaft;

FIG. 7 is a schematic electric circuit diagram of the combined cigarette lighter and dispenser of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view, with parts broken away, of a modified form of combination cigarette lighter and dispenser embodying the principles of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the modified combination cigarette lighter and dispenser taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken generally -along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detail cross-sectional view taken generally along line 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a detail view of the spark means, illustrating the int wheel at the beginningl of :an ignition operation;

FIG. 13 is a detail view of the spark means, illustrating the flint wheel at the end of an ignition operation;

FIG. 14 is a detail view of the piston mechanism for actuating the shaft;

FIG. 15 is `a detail view of the valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid from the Huid reservoir to the llame nozzle, and illustrating the valve in the closed position;

FIG. 16 is a detail view of the valve mechanism similar to FIG. 15, yand illustrating the valve in the open position;

FIG, 17 is a plan view, with parts broken away, of a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 18-18 of FIG. 17;

ICC

FIG. 19 is .a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a detail cross-sectional view taken generally along the Iline 20--20 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a detail view of the modified combination cigarette lighter and dispenser of FIG. 17 illustrating the means for actuating the flint wheel;

FIG. 22 is a detail view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 17, showing the lingers on the shaft about to receive a cigarette to be lit; and

FIG. 23 is a detail view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 17, similar to FIG. 22, and illustrating the position of the lingers on the shaft after a cigarette has been ilit and 4released by the fingers.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, there is illustrated one embodiment of the present invention comprising `an electrically energized apparatus utilizing electrical ignition means for lighting each cigarette.

Considering specilically FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it is seen that the combination cigarette lighter and dispenser 10 of the present invention -comprises a box-like housing 12 having side and bottom walls and a top Wall 14 pivot-ally carried on the -rear wall for permitting access to the interior thereof for repair of the oper-ating mechanism and for supplying cigarettes to be lit to the magazine within the housing. If desired, the top wall 14 may be slidably mounted on the housing so as to permit access to the interior of the housing. Suitable foot members 16 may be secured to the bottom of the housing 12 for supporting the housing on a support surface.

Within the housing 12 is an elongated, inclined planar rack member 18 for supporting a plurality of cigarettes and for supplying the cigarettes to an appropriate discharge point outside of the housing. The elongated rack member 18 is supported on a rod 20 disposed at the rear of the housing 12. The front of the rack rests on the bottom of :an opening 22 provided in the front wall lof the housing 12. The elongated rack 18 has a tlange 18a at the rear thereof which engages with the rod 20 for supporting the rack 18 at the rear. As seen in FIG. 3, the rack 18 is inclined forwardly to provide 4for gravitational movement of the cigarettes along the rack. The forward part of the rack 18 is cut away so as to provide la pair of forwardly extending ears 181), each of which has a ange 18C extending upwardly from the front thereof for retaining a cigarette in place after it has been lit. It will be understood that the cutaway portion provided ready access to the central portion of the cigarette after it has been lit and is retained in place on the rack 18 by the flanges 18C.

An angle bracket 24 is -adjustably secured to the rack 18 by suitable adjusting means, as for example, screws 26 which are movable transversely of the rack 18 in slot-J ted openings 27 which extend therethrough. The upright wall 25 of the angle bracket 24 cooperates with the wall 28 of the rack 18 to confine the lengths of cigarettes therebetween. By virtue of the transverse adjustment of the wall angle bracket 24 with respect to wall 28, different lengths of cigarettes may be accommodated on the rack 18. The rack 18 maintains the cigarettes to be lit disposed transversely of the rack to assure that the cigarettes are properly fed from the rack to the support iingers 31 on shaft 30.

Extending transversely of the housing 12 adjacent the front thereof is a rotatable shaft 30* that is journaled at its ends in the side walls of the housing 12. Provided on the shaft 30 are a pair of spaced fingers 31 which extend upwardly through elongated openings 33 and 34 provided in the rack 18. The lingers 31 are each secured to the shaft 30 and are movable therewith to move the cigarettes one at a time past the ignition means.

The ignition means comprises a coiled resistance element 36 operatively connected at one end to the shaft 30 and operatively supported at the other end on pin 35. The pin is suitably affixed to a side wall of housing 12. Electric wire 37 is connected to element 36 for connecting the element in an electric circuit. It is noted that the ignition means 36 is disposed adjacent the cutout portion 38 of the rack 13 such that the cigarettes on the rack will move individually past the ignition means in closely spaced relationship thereto, to be lit thereby.

Disposed adjacent the coiled resistance element 36 is a bimetallic coil 4f). The coil 40 is afxed at one end to the shaft 3f) and is affixed at the other end to a pin member 41 carried on the side wall of the housing. When the element 36 is energized, the bimetallic coil 40 will be heated to cause rotation of the shaft 30 in a first direction to move a single cigarette slowly past the coil 36. After the cigarette has been lit, the coil 36 will be `deenergized and as the bimetal 4@ cools it will cause rotation of the shaft 30 in an opposite direction to return the lingers 31 to a position preparatory for the next cycle of operation.

The control means for actuating theA combined cigarette lighter and dispenser apparatus comprises a manually actuated switch 43 including a switch plunger 44 having contact means 45 thereon adapted to engage with a pair of spaced contacts 46 and 47. The contacts 46 and 47 on the terminals 48 and 49, respectively, are operatively Connected to lead Wires 50 and 51 that are adapted to be connected in the electrical control circuit.

Upon actuation of the switch plunger 44 to engage contact 45 wtih contacts 46 and 47, the electrical circuit will be closed to energize the resistance coil 36. As the resistance coil 36 heats up, the bimetal 4f? adjacent thereto will be heated and the heat will cause expansion and rotation of the bimetal to rotate the shaft 30. A single cigarette engaged by the lingers 31 affixed to the shaft 30 will be moved slowly past the resistance coil 36 and lit thereby. After a cigarette has been lit, the cam 54 carried on the shaft 30 adjacent to the switch mechanism will engage the switch plunger 44 and cause the plunger 44 to be moved to open the contacts 45, 46 and 47, thus breaking the electrical Icircuit to the resistance coil 36. As the bimetal cools the shaft 30 will be returned to its starting position (FIG. 5).

There is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, different operating positions of the cam 54 on the shaft 30 with respect to the plunger 44 of the switch mechanism. In FIG. 4, switch 43 has been pushed downwardly and to the left to engage contact on the plunger 44 with the contacts 46 and 47 on the terminal arms 48, 49, respectively. In FIG. 5, there is illustrated the position of the plunger 44 after the cam 54 has moved the plunger 44 upwardly and to the right to disengage the contact 45 from contacts 46 and 47 to open the electrical circuit. Cooling of the bimetal 411 will rotate the shaft 30 until the cam 54 once again is in the position indicated in FIG. 4. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a lead 55 extends from the cam 54. An electrical circuit is completed to energize the resistance coil through the lead 55, cam 54, shaft 3th, resistance coil 36 and lead 37.

In FIGS. 3 and 6, there is best seen the construction of the lingers 31 on the shaft 30. Each finger 31 defines a moon-shaped member centrally aliixed to the shaft 30. One end of finger 31 defines a relatively elongated linger portion 31a and the other end defines a relatively short linger portion 31b. Initially, when the bimetal 40 is cool, the elongated finger part 31a is upright as seen in FIG. 3 to engage with a first cigarette and prevent its movement downwardly along the rack 18. When the resistance coil 36 is energized upon actuation of the switch 44, the bimetal 40 will be actuated to rotate the shaft 30 counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 6. The relatively short finger part 31b will move upwardly behind the cigarette C to be lit to prevent other cigarettes from moving downwardly by gravity along the rack 18. After the cigarette C has been lit, the lingers 31 will be in the position illustrated in FIG. 6, with the relatively long finger parts lying below the plane of therack 18 so as to permit the lit cigarette C to move on by gravity through the opening 22 defined in the front wall of the housing 12 and into abutting engagement with the lianges 18C formed on the extension 1817 of the rack. The user may then grip the cigarette intermediate the ends thereof and remove same from the rack 18. The next cigarette C is retained by finger portion 3111 until the next cycle is initiated by closing switch 43.

It is contemplated that the electric circuit for operating the combined cigarette lighter and dispenser shown in FIGS. l-6 will be a lZ-volt battery source. As seen from the wiring schematic shown in FIG. 7, the battery 58 may be connected in series relationship with the electric resistance coil 36 and the switch mechanism 43. It will be understood that upon closure of the switch 43, a circuit will be completed via power source 58, lead wire 50, switch 43, lead wires 51 and 55, shaft 30, resistance coil 36 and lead 37 to energize the resistance coil 36. The switch 43 is actuated by cam 54 carried on shaft 30 to open the circuit and permit cooling of bimetal 40 to return shaft 30 to its starting position. If desired, apparatus 10 may be operated on 1Z0-volts or any suitable voltage (with the addition of a resistance in the circuit) or the source of power may be a rechargeable battery.

Referring to FIGS. 8-16, there is illustrated another forni of the present invention having manually actuated piston means for actuating the rotatable shaft to move a selected cigarette through the housing and a spring for biasing t-he shaft toward its starting position. Within the modified device are ignition means that include a source of pressurized ignition liuid, such as butane. Those parts of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 8-16 that are the same as the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 will be designated with like numerals.

The box-like housing 12 is essentially the same structurally as the housing for enclosing the invention o-f FIGS. l-7. Within the housing, there is supported an elongated planar rack member or chute 18. The rack 18 is supported at the rear end on a rod 2li disposed transversely of the housing 12. The front of the rack 18 rests on the bottom of opening 22 provided in the front wall of the housing 12. The rack 18 is inclined forwardly to provide for gravitational movement of the cigarettes toward the discharge end of the rack. A recess is defined in the forward end of the rack between the ears lb to provide for ready gripping -of a lit cigarette centrally of the ends thereof. Upstanding flanges 18C on the ends of the ears 1812 retain a lit cigarette in place on the end of the rack 18.

The angle bracket 24 is adjustably secured on the rack 18 with respect to wall 28 by suitable adjusting means to provide for adjustment of the rack width to accommodate different length cigarettes.

Extending transversely 'of the housing 12 adjacent the front thereof is a rotatable shaft 36 that is journaled at its ends in the side walls of the housing 12. Provided on the shaft are a pair of spaced lingers 31 which extend through elongated openings 33 and 34 provided in the rack 1S. The fingers 31 are very much like the lingers 31 except they are secured on the shaft 30 in a reverse manner, as will be more clearly seen hereafter.

The actuating means 61 for rotating the shaft 30 includes a dash pot piston construction including a piston 70 movable in cylinder 62. The piston 70 is operatively connected to the shaft by link means. As shown, the link means comprise an arm member 63 lix'edly connected at one end to the enlarged portion 64 defined at the upper end of the piston rod 65. The other end of the arm member 63 1s plvotally connected as indicated at 66 to a link arm 68 fixedly secured to the shaft 30. The piston 70, connected to the lower end of the piston rod 65, is adapted to .reciprocate within the cylinder bore of the housing or cylinder 62.

Manual actuation of the enlarged portion 64 will cause the piston 70 to ybe moved downwardly rapidly within the bore defined in cylinder 62, thereby rapidly rotating the shaft 30 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 11. Fluid in the chamber 62a below the piston 70 will readily pass to the chamber 62b above piston 70 about the piston seal. The parts 31h of fingers 31 will pass beneath the lead cigarette to be lit. At the lower end of travel of the piston 70 within the cylinder, the cigarette will be cradled in the recesses defined on the fingers 31.

Upon release of the enlarged portion 64 of the actuating means 62, the spring 74 will rotate the shaft in the opposite direction. Rotation of the shaft clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1l will cause the cigarette C to be moved slowly past the ignition means. Clockwise rotation of the shaft is relatively slow inasmuch as the piston actuating means includes dash pot retarding means. The piston 70 is moved upwardly against the resistance head of the air contained within the chamber 62b of the cylinder 62. Air can escape from cylinder 62 only through a restricted passage. It will be understood that when a pneumatic cylinder is utilized, there may be a bleed opening 75 (FIG. 14) provided in the side wall of the cylinder to permit release of the air from the cylinder. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a hydraulic cylinder may be utilized in place of the pneumatic cylinder. In such case, suitable valving means may be provided in the piston head, or a bleed orifice may 'be provided internally of the cylinder to provide for restricted flow of fluid from one side of the piston to the other within cylinder 62.

The ignition means include a tank or reservoir 78 for butane or like fuel operatively connected to a flame orifice or burner nozzle 80 by means including a control valve 82 and a conduit 83 disposed between the outlet from the reservoir 78 and the inlet to the valve 82. The flame nozzle 80, which comprises an L-shaped tubular member having a restricted opening at one end, is disposed adjacent a side of the chute 18 in close proximity to the cutout portion 38 of the rack 18 such that cigarettes on the rack will move past the ignition means in closely spaced relationship thereto.

The valve means 82 may comprise a valve housing 84 having a passage therethrough. Defined in the passage within housing 84 is a valve seat adapted to be closed by a valve element 85 that is normally biased to the closed position by a spring 86. The flame nozzle 80 is internally connected with the valve element 85 for movement therewith and the passageway extending through the flame nozzle 80 operatively communicates with the interior bore in the valve housing 84 by means of transverse openings 87 in the flame nozzle 80.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 8, 9, and 16, there will be better understood the operation of the valve 82 for regulating the flow of butane from the reservoir 78 to the nozzle 80. The flame nozzle 80 is carried by a bracket 88 fixed to housing 12. The Valve housing 84 is adapted to be moved toward and away from theflame nozzle 80 in order to open and close the flow passage therethrough. The means for moving the valve housing 84 with respect tothe flame nozzle 80 in order to move the valve 85 toward and away from its valve seat includes a cam means 90 carried on the shaft 30 for rotation therewith. In FIG. 15, there is illustrated the position of the cam 90 when the valve 85 is against its valve seat. When the shaft 30 is rotated, responsive to actuation of the manual actuating means 62, ,thecam 90 will move to the position shown in FIG. 16, moving the housing 84 to the right as viewed in FIG. 16 to move the valve seat away from the valve element 85 and thereby open the flow passage through the valve 82 to permit the flow of fluid from the reservoir 78 to the flame nozzle 80. The longitudinal portion of the flame nozzle 80 is slidingly disposed within the opening through the closure member 89 in the valve housing 84.

The spark means for igniting the fluid in order to provide a flame from the flame nozzle to light a cigarette includes a flint 91 slideably carried within a bore in flint holder 92, a flint wheel 93 having serrations 94 thereon adapted to engage with the end of the flint in order to create a spark, and 4link means operativelyv connected between the flint wheel 93 and the shaft 30 for creating a spark responsive to rotation `of the shaft 30 in order to ignite the lighter fluid.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13, there will be better understood the operation of the spark means illustrated in lthe modified form of the invention. Rotation of shaft 3f) will cause rotation of the lever 96 which is secured on the shaft 30. Lever 97 is pivotally secu-red on lever 96 by pivot pin 98 and is movable between the positions shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. The lug 97a at one end of the pawl or lever 97 engages with the lug 93a on the flint wheel 93 and when the shaft 30 is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 12 and 13, continued engagement of the lugs 97a and 93a will cause rotation of the flint wheel 93 clockwise in orde-r to provide a spark to ignite the fluid issuing from the flame nozzle 80. When the end 971; of pawl 97 abuts stop 95, the pawl 97 is pivoted about the axis of pivot pin 98 to help free lug 97a from lug 93a. Spring 100, which is affixed at one end to a wall of the housing 12 and at the other end to the flint wheel 93, is adapted to bias the wheel 93 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 13. Clockwise yrotation of the shaft 30 will cause the pawl 97 Ioperatively associated therewith to rotate the flint wheel 93 against the bias of spring 100. Spring 101 -is providedv to bias the pawl 97 toward engagement with the flint wheel lug.

The flint 91 is biased into enga-gement with the flint wheel 93 by means of a `spring 104. Operator handle or lever 106 is operatively connected to the spring 104 for pivoting the arm 104a of the spring out of engagement with the flint 91 to permit replacement of the spent flint wi-th a new flint. The flint-type spark means may be replaced Iby electric spark means.

In FIGS. 17-23, there is illustrated a third embodiment of the present invention. The housing 12 is essentially the same as that heretofore described. The means for 4actuating the shaft 30 includes a manually actuated piston construction 62 which is connected by linkage means 63, 66, 68 to the shaft 30. When the piston 65 is manually actuated or pushed downwardly, as shown on the drawing, the linkage means operatively connecting the piston to the shaft will cause rotation of the shaft 30` counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 22 and 23. Upon release of the enlarged portion 64 lof the piston rod, the shaft 30 will be returned to its initial position by means of the spiral spring 74, operatively connected at one end to the housing 12 and at the other end to the shaft 30. Reverse movement of the shaft 30 is slowed by the dash pot arrangement within cylinder 62.

The primary differences between the embodiment of FIGS. 17-23 and that of FIGS. 8-16 reside in the valve operator for controlling the flow of ignition fluid from the reservoir 78 to the flame nozzle 80", and in the specific means for replacing a used flint 91. The valve means 82 includes a valve element in housing 84 for seating against a valve seat therein to close the flow passage in the housing :that communicates the reservoir 78 and the conduit 83.

A link 110` is operatively connected to the valve stem of the valve within the housing 82. As best seen in FIGS. 19 and 21, when the end of lever 110 lremote from the valve means 82 is moved downwardly upon engagement Wi-th the pawl 97', the valve stem 8S will be moved t-o the left as viewed in FIG. 19 :to open the valve and -permit the flow of fluid from the Ireservoir 78 to the flame nozzle 89. Release of the pawl 97 from the free end of the leve-r will permit the spring within the value means 82 to bias the valve to closed position, terminating the flow of fluid from the reservoir 78 -to the flame nozzle 80.

It will be understood that the operat-ion of the valve means 82 is coordinated with the rotation of the shaft 30 responsive to actuation of the piston-type actuating means. Therefore, upon actuation `of the actuating means, `the shaft 30 will be rotated rapidly in a first direction to permit the fingers 31 to be rotated clockwise as viewed, for example, in FIG. 19. Simultaneously, the lever 96 xed upon the shaft 30 will be pivoted clockwise, causing clockwise rotation of the int wheel 93, as viewed in FIGS. 19 and 21, to create a spark. The pra/.wl 97 at the same time engages the lever 110 to oipen the valve within valve means 82 to permit the flow of ignition fluid from the reservoir 78 through conduit 83 to the llame nozzle 80. The spark `obtained by the abrasive contact between the senrations or kuur-ling on flint wheel 93 and the flint 91 will cause ignition -of :the uid issuing from the ame nozzle 80. Thus, when the shaft 30i rotates counterclockwise, as Viewed for example in FIG. 19, lresponsive to bias of the spring 74, the cigarette carried by the fingers 31 will be lit.

As the shaft 30 rotates in response to actuation of :the spring 74, the pawl 97 wil-l be lbiased toward its starting position and into engagement with the lug 93a on the flint wheel 93 by spring 101. The free end of lever 110 will become free from engagement with the pawl 97', thereby permitting closure of the valve means 82. 'Ihe shaft 30 continues rotation until the portion 31a of the finger 31 is below the plane of the rack 18 so as to permit the cigarette that has been lit to move past the ngers 31 along the rack and 4to be held by the flanges 18C extending upwardly from the ears 18h on the end of the rack 18. All of the `operating parts have thereby been returned to their starting positions preparatory to actuation of another cycle upon depressing the piston within the cylinder 62.

The int 91 is adapted to be biased toward engagement with the flint wheel 93 by means of a lever 112 that is engaged by a spring 11d, which biases the lever counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 19, to urge the flint 91 into engagement with the flint wheel 93. The lower end of the lever 112 is movable in a recess or opening defined in the upper part of the flint housing 92. A flint release lever 116 is pivoted on the housing 12 and engages with the lever 112 for moving the lever 112 out of engagement with the flint 91 and out of path of the flint 91 so as to permit removal of the expended int from the housing 92. Thus, as seen in FIG. 19, if the free end of the flint release lever 116 is pivoted clockwise, the lever 112 may be moved to the position indicated in dotted lines, out of the path of the flint 91. The housing 12 may be tilted to permit the flint 91 to be removed through the opening 118 in the housing and a replacement flint may be inserted into flint housing 92 through opening 118. Upon release of the flint release lever 116, the lower end of lever 112 will be biased into engagement with the flint 91 and will urge the liint into engagement with the flint wheel 93.

It will be understood that openings may be provided in the walls of the housing 12 to permit the escape of smoke, but it is preferred that there be provided in the housing a tubular chimney 39 disposed with one end adjacent the lit end of the cigarette and with the other end communieating with the exterior of the housing. The chimney is illustrated in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3 but was omitted from the views illustrating other forms of the invention for purposes of clarity of illustration.

There has been provided by the present invention a novel combination cigarette lighter and dispenser which is fully automatic to position a cigarette for ignition and to deliver an ignited cigarette for immediate use by a smoker. In one form of the invention, the ignition means are electric and the shaft actuating means are thermal responsive. In another form of the invention, manual piston-type actuating means are provided. Incorporated in the piston-type actuating means is a dash pot arrangement for slowing return movement of the piston. vThe spark means are actuated responsive to movement of the shaft means which advance the cigarettes one at a time from the magazine rack to a point of use.

It will be understood that this invention is not limited to the described embodiments but may be otherwise practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination cigarette lighter and dispenser comprising a housing; a support rack in said housing for supporting a plurality of cigarettes; an ignition element disposed adjacent an end of said rack, with one side of said ignition element being substantially aligned with the adjacent side of said rack for lighting the end of a cigarette; means for energizing said ignition element; drive means for moving cigarettes successively past said ignition element for lighting same, said drive means including a shaft rotatably supported in said housing transversely of the support rack, with the axis of the shaft being substantially parallel to the axes of the cigarettes on the rack, finger means on the shaft for engaging with and moving a single cigarette past the ignition element and a vbimetal operatively connected to said shaft and being disposed in heat transfer relationship to said ignition element, whereby when said ignition element is energized, said bimetal actuates said shaft to move a cigarette past the ignition element to light the cigarette.

2. A combination cigarette lighter and dispenser as in claim 1 wherein said ignition element is a coiled electric resistance element and said energizing means comprises an electric circuit into which said electric resistance element is connected.

3. A combination cigarette lighter and dispenser as in claim 2 wherein a control switch is provided in said electric circuit for selectively closing same to energize said resistance element, and cam means are operatively associated with said shaft for opening said control switch to terminate operation of the resistance element, cooling of the bimetal causing the shaft to rotate to starting position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,796,657 3/1931 Leitz 221-145 2,028,787 1/1936 `Lane 2,21-147 2,310,089 2/1943 Hudson 194--10 2,779,501 1/1957 Alfrey 221-144 2,956,660 10/1960 Nordquist 221-301 3,080,999 3/1963 Clarke et al. 221-301 FOREIGN PATENTS 351,526 6/ 1931 v.Great Britain. 134,787 3/ 1952 Sweden.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner,

WALTER SOBIN, Examiner, 

1. A COMBINATION CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND DISPENSER COMPRISING A HOUSING; A SUPPORT RACK IN SAID HOUSING FOR SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF CIGARETTES; AN IGNITION ELEMENT DISPOSED ADJACENT AN END OF SAID RACK, WITH ONE SIDE OF SAID IGNITION ELEMENT BEING SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED WITH THE ADJACENT SIDE OF SAID RACK FOR LIGHTING THE END OF A CIGARETTE; MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID IGNITION ELEMENT; DRIVE MEANS FOR MOVING CIGARETTES SUCCESSIVELY PAST SAID IGNITION ELEMENT FOR LIGHTING SAME, SAID DRIVE MEANS INCLUDING A SHAFT ROTATABLY SUPPORTED IN SAID HOUSING TRANSVERSELY OF THE SUPPORT RACK, WITH THE AXIS OF THE SHAFT BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE AXES OF THE CIGARETTES ON THE RACK, FINGER MEANS ON THE SHAFT FOR ENGAGING WITH AND MOVING A SINGLE CIGARETTE PAST THE IGNITION ELEMENT AND A BIMETAL OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SHAFT AND BEING DISPOSED IN HEAT TRANSFER RELATIONSHIP TO SAID IGNITION ELEMENT, WHEREBY WHEN SAID IGNITION ELEMENT IS ENERGIZED, SAID BIMETAL ACTUATES SAID SHAFT TO MOVE A CIGARETTE PAST THE IGNITION ELEMENT TO LIGHT THE CIGARETTE. 